XXVlll 



For these facts we are indebted to Burmeister's examination of Malacoptila torquata and 

 Ch^Iidoptera brasiliensis*. 



The tongue, I may add (from an examination of this organ in a skin of Bucco maculatus 

 where it has been fortunately preserved), closely resembles that of the Galbulidse, being equally 

 long (1 inch) and thin, tapering apically, with its lateral margins entire, and a spinose base. 



The late Professor Garrod was able to determine, from a skin, that the distribution of the 

 plantar tendons in Monacha flavirostris resembles that of the Pici and of the Galbulids, as 

 described, above, except that the vinculum between the two tendons is situated somewhat lower 

 down, close to where the hallux tendon splits up for distribution. The same is the case in 

 Malacoptila fusca and Bucco maculatus. 



c. Osteology. 



Like that of the Galbulidae, the osseous structure of the Bucconidse has only been very 

 cursorily treated of by writers on the osteology of birds. For what has been recorded of it we 

 are indebted to the same authorities as in the former case. 



Blanchard f has described and figured the sterna of Bucco inaculatus and B. sivainsoni. 

 Eyton J has briefly described, with measurements, the osteology of Bucco swainsoni. Mala- 

 coptila torquata, and Chelidoptera tenehrosa, with figures of the sternum (pi. viii. fig. 4) and 

 palatine bones (pi. xii. fig. 4) of the last-named bird, and one of the entire skeleton of the first 

 (pi. vii. B). He compares them with ^'•Capito" (i. e. Trachyphonus) purpuratus. 



Huxley § has briefly described the palate of a Bucco (the species is not mentioned, but from 

 the description it appears to be one of the Bucconidee as opposed to the Capitonidse), which he 

 shows to be desmognathous, and similar to that of Geococcyx and Galbula. 



It is again owing to the generosity of Mr. Salvin that I am enabled to describe the 

 osteology of the group in the present place, he having placed at my disposal skeletons of four 

 species belonging to as many genera, namely, Bucco dysoni, Malacoptila torquata, Micromonacha 

 lanceolata, and Monacha nigrifrons. 



That of Bucco dysoni will be here described, the other species mentioned agreeing closely 

 with it in most respects. 



The rostrum is immovably united to the cranium ; and both the interorbital and internasal 

 septa are well ossified, being separated, however, by a well-marked " cranio-facial " notch. 

 The alinasal cartilages are largely ossified, uniting with the median nasal septum and with the 

 external processes of the nasals, as also with the spongy and swollen maxillo-palatine processes. 

 The Bucconidse are thus perfectly desmognathous. The palatines are short, and close to their 

 union with the maxillae are marked by an oblique ridge directed backwards and outwards. 

 Behind this they have in section a completely triradiate form, the horizontal lamina of each 

 side, which forms the main part of the bone and terminates posteriorly by an abruptly 

 truncated margin, sending off perpendicularly from its median edge ascending and descending 

 processes. The ascending process embraces the lower margin of the basisphenoidal rostrum, 

 and is ankylosed firmly behind with the inner edge of the pterygoid, the two bones becoming 



* Syst. Ueb. Th. Bras. ii. pp. 282, 292, 295. f Ann. Sc. Kat. ser. 4, Zool. xi. p. 125, t. 5. figs. 19-23. 



X Oat. Avium, pp. 47, 48, 64. ' § P. Z. S. 1867, p. 444. 



